Using epoxy resin for DIY projects is a relatively easy process. Until it comes to sanding it, that is! While it may be tempting to leave your epoxy projects as they are, they won’t be nearly as attractive as they would be if you were to sand the finished product.
This is because the resin can sometimes appear cloudy once it’s dried, or even have a strange sticky substance on the surface. In order to get the shiny, smooth surface that you associate with epoxy resin, you need to sand it.
However, sanding epoxy resin is notoriously difficult. This is because it is so hard, and can very quickly clog up your sandpaper. So how can you sand epoxy resin and get the smooth surface that you’re after?
Today, we’re going to give you all the information you need to sand your epoxy resin so that it looks as beautiful as you need it to.
Can You Sand Epoxy After It Dries?
Yes, you can sand epoxy resin after it dries. In fact, you will need to wait for it to be completely dry before you get started with sanding it. This is because you could ruin the finish of the resin if you were to try and sand it before it was ready.
It’s important to note that dry sanding will be very difficult, especially if you were to try and sand it by hand using sandpaper. Using a sander will make the process much easier, but the sandpaper will still clog up fairly quickly.
To get the best results from sanding your epoxy resin, we would recommend wet sanding. This is where you dip your waterproof sandpaper into a bucket of water first, then start sanding. This makes the dust you sand off the epoxy wet, and much easier to wipe away from your resin project.
Simply dip your sandpaper into your bucket of water every now and then to clean the sheet and this will make it much easier to sand your epoxy resin.
To avoid making any deep scratches on your epoxy surface, it’s best to opt for a sandpaper grit size of around 120. You can then gradually increase the size of the sandpaper grit up to 1,000 if you want to achieve a shiny surface.
It will be important to do this slowly and in stages so that you can achieve a cleaner, more polished project.
Remember that whenever you sand epoxy, it is best to wear a mask so as to prevent any dust from getting into your lungs. You may also wish to do this outside so that it’s easier to clean up afterwards.
Can Epoxy Be Sanded And Polished?
Yes, epoxy resin can be sanded and polished. In fact, it is always recommended to sand and polish your epoxy resin if you want to achieve that signature shiny surface.
As we’ve discussed in more detail above, it is best to try and use a wet sanding method over a dry sanding method when it comes to epoxy resin.
This is because wet sanding will be much easier in general. The sandpaper won’t clog up as much, and there will be less toxic dust around for you to inhale. It will be tough work to sand your epoxy resin, but it will be worth it in the end. Patience will be key to ensure that you can achieve wonderfully shiny results.
To get the very best out of your epoxy resin, you may wish to polish it once you have finished sanding it.
First, you will need to use a cloth to wipe away any dust from your epoxy piece and make sure that it’s dry. You can also use this time to ensure that there are no scratches which need to be buffed out first.
Next, spread your polishing compound across the whole surface of your epoxy resin piece. You can also use a product that has been designed to buff out fine scratches if you want even better results.
Using a soft microfiber cloth, you can then start to slowly rub this polishing compound into the epoxy resin. Make sure to use circular motions so that you’ve got the whole area covered. You can finish up polishing your epoxy resin by using a buffing wheel if you have one to hand.
Will Sanding Epoxy Scratch It?
If you use a sandpaper grit that is too coarse, and you are too vigorous with your sanding, this could cause scratches. It will be best to use a sandpaper with a grit size of around 120, then gradually increase this to prevent any scratches from marring your hard work.
If you accidentally get any scratches on your epoxy resin, it can take some effort to remove these.
For any fine scratches towards the end of the sanding process, you can use a special type of polishing wax that has been designed to remove these.
Does Epoxy Resin Have To Be Sanded?
You don’t technically have to sand epoxy resin, however, it won’t look as nice if you leave it as it is. This is because epoxy resin can sometimes have something called amine blush. This is a pink discoloration that appears as a sticky surface. Epoxy resin can also appear slightly uneven or cloudy.
To get the best results from your epoxy resin, it is always best to sand it once it has dried.
In Summary
So there you have it! You can indeed sand epoxy resin, and in fact, this is often recommended to ensure that you have beautiful results. It is recommended to use a wet sanding method instead of dry sanding, as this will make the process a lot easier for you.
You will need to use a wet cloth to clean your epoxy resin first and remove any sticky amine blush that might be in place.
Remember to use a sandpaper with a grit size of around 120, then slowly increase the grit size until you have achieved the smooth results that you are after. If you want to achieve a shiny surface, then you will need to start gradually upgrading the sandpaper grit size to 1,000.
For the finishing touches you can even polish your epoxy resin to really make it shine!
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